Public Safety Officials from Across the State Join Governor Cuomo’s Enough is Enough Campaign

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers, Inc., the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, which represents all 400 police departments in the state, and 28 individual sheriffs from across the state have joined the Enough is Enough campaign in support of the Governor’s proposal to combat sexual assault on college and university campuses. Many of these law enforcement officials respond to reports of sexual violence and, under the Governor’s proposal, are among the officials to whom students can reach out to report incidents of on-campus sexual assault. The Governor’s proposal would codify uniform sexual assault prevention and response protocols for all colleges and universities in New York. The adoption of this proposal will make New York a leader in the fight against on-campus sexual violence and will better protect the State's 1.2 million college students.

“The addition of these public safety officials to our effort to make New York a leader in the fight against on-campus sexual violence will help ensure our higher education institutions are safe havens for learning,” Governor Cuomo said. “As the broad-based coalition supporting Enough is Enough continues to grow, we are sending a message that these crimes will not be tolerated and now is the time to get this policy passed into law.”

"The Troopers PBA supports these proposed changes, which significantly toughen New York State's laws on sexual assault on college campuses throughout the state,” Troopers PBA President Thomas Mungeer said. “This legislation addresses overwhelming concerns that parents have when sending their children off to college. These are some of the most difficult cases for our members to investigate, and this proposal would make a significant difference on New York's campuses."

“The New York State Association of Chiefs of Police join Governor Cuomo’s ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign to combat sexual violence on college campuses and universities,” NYS Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Director Margaret Ryan said. “NYSACOP members are committed to investigating all crimes, especially in the case of sexual assaults, which are often under reported. As law enforcement officials, we welcome the opportunity to help alleviate this problem in our society as we work closely with SUNY and other college chiefs.”

“As law enforcement officials, we are often the entity to whom victims reach out to for help. It is critical students on campuses across the state know that they share that right and have the power to choose how and where they report incidents of sexual assault, including every level of law enforcement in the state,” President of the New York State Sheriffs Association and Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour said. “We are proud to join the Governor’s Enough is Enough campaign to combat sexual assault on college campuses as we continue our efforts to make students and all New Yorkers safer, no matter where they are.”

The “Enough is Enough” campaign includes a new State Police hotline – 1-844-845-7269 – dedicated to reporting sexual assaults on college and university campuses. Specially-trained members of the State Police will be on-call 24 hours a day to respond to sexual assault calls throughout the State. The campaign also has a video featuring students, advocates and elected officials supporting the Governor’s policy to address sexual assault on college campuses. The video can be viewed here.

To promote the campaign and the importance of passing the Governor’s proposal, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul has embarked on a statewide tour to bring Enough is Enough to college campuses across the State. She is meeting with members of the student body, faculty and administration as well as service providers and advocates for survivors of rape and sexual assault.

The Governor’s on-campus sexual assault prevention proposal includes the following components:

A statewide definition of affirmative consent, defining consent as a clear, unambiguous, and voluntary agreement between the participants to engage in specific sexual activity;

A statewide amnesty policy, to ensure that students reporting incidents of sexual assault or other sexual violence are granted immunity for certain campus policy violations, such as drug and alcohol use;

A Sexual Violence Victim/Survivor Bill of Rights, which campuses will be required to distribute to all students in order to specifically inform sexual violence victims of their legal rights and how they may access appropriate resources. The Bill of Rights clearly states that students are given the right to know they can report sexual assaults to outside law enforcement, including the State Police;

Comprehensive training requirements for administrators, staff, and students, including at new student orientations.

Members of the public wishing to state their support for Governor Cuomo's proposal can do so at www.ny.gov/EnoughisEnough. They can also join the conversation online using #EnoughisEnough.

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said, “I applaud Governor Cuomo for fighting hard to make all college campuses safe for students. Let’s make New York State an example to follow in protecting our students by seeing this legislation passed this year.”

Jefferson County Sheriff Colleen O’Neill said, "Governor Cuomo's Enough is Enough policy proposal is an example of positive, proactive protection of all of our New York State’s college communities and I support the Governor in his efforts. This policy gives victims the confidence to report an incident, and even better, helps to prevent assaults from taking place because predators will know that they will be held fully accountable. As Jefferson County Sheriff, I applaud this policy proposal and look forward to working with the Jefferson Community College Administration to help enforce it."

Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol said, "As the Sheriff of a county with two public and two private colleges, I strongly support proactive actions such as the Governor's "Enough is Enough" campaign in an effort to keep colleges free from sexual assaults. I thank the Governor for his ongoing leadership to this issue.”

Ulster County Sheriff Paul Van Blarcum said, "Governor Cuomo’s legislation will increase accountability for colleges where a sexual assault has taken place and help ensure victims are treated with the care and respect they deserve. With a more comprehensive, statewide policy as well as a dedicated reporting hotline, this proposal will enable campuses to foster a safer learning environment in which victims feel empowered to come forward. I applaud the Governor for bringing this important issue to the public’s attention so we can make sure students have the resources and support necessary to complete their academic years knowing their schools and their government are protecting them to the greatest degree possible.”

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